Things to see and do in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Posted:01 Nov 2009 12:47
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My top tips - local ideas, insider tips, special things to see and do
I have just read in The Sunday Times Travel section a short piece of advice to a traveller wishing to experience wildlife in the company of her son for a budget of £2000.
My advice is always plan on the Kruger National Park if your budget is tending towards the modest. Graham and I were back in Kruger in October 2007. It had been years since we were last there but we went in the company of our dear friend Eddie Marcus, who like Graham is a vet. Eddie goes to Kruger about four times a year now that he is retired.
You set off at dawn from Johannesburg by car and after a mornng's driving through some awesome country in Limpopo you come to the Kruger's boundaries. Presumably you will have decided whether you want to go in at the top or the bottom end of the park. I would go in the north and come out at the south or midway south.
We stopped in Phalaborwa and did some shopping for our self catering chalet and then had a very welcome lunch at a hotel in Phalaborwa, after which we entered at the Phalaborwa Gate. Within a ffty yard stretch we encountered two giraffes and so it went on. Absolutely beautiful. We had chosen to stay the entire time at Letaba Camp which had happy memories for us from long ago, but you can book to stay at the different camps over a period of days. Letaba was lovely because one can then look down on the river and see the wildlife morning and evening. The camp has a good museum dedicated to the African Elephant and a good shop. Barbecuing or 'braai vleis' to use the good South African term is the order of the day and what could be nicer as the sun goes down. The chalet was well equipped but not at all luxurious, but it has airconditioning and good shower/wc, basins ensuite. We reminisced about the rondavel in which we had stayed way back in February 1970 when we first visited Kruger.
Please look at my galleries [web link] for photos of a most beautiful three week trip we did to South Africa. It was my first back since we left 30 years ago. We had disagreed strongly with the then Afrikaaner Nationalist Government - indeed I had been in the think tank of the then official leader of the opposition for the general election of 1977.....we were spied on and had our telephones tapped and leaving South Africa was to us a relief. But, it is a most beautiful country which offers wonderful opportunities for the traveller; however, at no time take any risks and be careful. There is a great deal of violence usually because of drugs and poverty, but also because of disaffected youths who want something for nothing. South Africa has many challenges. Do not drive after dark.
We after four days finally reluctantly left Kruger from the Orpen Gate and visited the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Institute and saw the most wonderful cheetahs. Please do look at the gallery [web link] on South Africa.
The drive back to Johannsesburg was through thrilling country with awesome scenery in Mpumalanga and the Jacaranda trees were in bloom as it was spring time. Stunningly beautiful in a grand way. We stopped to buy some avocadoes and melons from an African woman who was beautiful and engaging and when we bought several things and I asked for a wooden pot she shyly said, Ma'am you get two for the price and I said thank you but the one is just fine and I will pay the price and have it as a happy memory....she did a little jig and said 'this is my good good day....' and so it was for us too!
My advice is always plan on the Kruger National Park if your budget is tending towards the modest. Graham and I were back in Kruger in October 2007. It had been years since we were last there but we went in the company of our dear friend Eddie Marcus, who like Graham is a vet. Eddie goes to Kruger about four times a year now that he is retired.
You set off at dawn from Johannesburg by car and after a mornng's driving through some awesome country in Limpopo you come to the Kruger's boundaries. Presumably you will have decided whether you want to go in at the top or the bottom end of the park. I would go in the north and come out at the south or midway south.
We stopped in Phalaborwa and did some shopping for our self catering chalet and then had a very welcome lunch at a hotel in Phalaborwa, after which we entered at the Phalaborwa Gate. Within a ffty yard stretch we encountered two giraffes and so it went on. Absolutely beautiful. We had chosen to stay the entire time at Letaba Camp which had happy memories for us from long ago, but you can book to stay at the different camps over a period of days. Letaba was lovely because one can then look down on the river and see the wildlife morning and evening. The camp has a good museum dedicated to the African Elephant and a good shop. Barbecuing or 'braai vleis' to use the good South African term is the order of the day and what could be nicer as the sun goes down. The chalet was well equipped but not at all luxurious, but it has airconditioning and good shower/wc, basins ensuite. We reminisced about the rondavel in which we had stayed way back in February 1970 when we first visited Kruger.
Please look at my galleries [web link] for photos of a most beautiful three week trip we did to South Africa. It was my first back since we left 30 years ago. We had disagreed strongly with the then Afrikaaner Nationalist Government - indeed I had been in the think tank of the then official leader of the opposition for the general election of 1977.....we were spied on and had our telephones tapped and leaving South Africa was to us a relief. But, it is a most beautiful country which offers wonderful opportunities for the traveller; however, at no time take any risks and be careful. There is a great deal of violence usually because of drugs and poverty, but also because of disaffected youths who want something for nothing. South Africa has many challenges. Do not drive after dark.
We after four days finally reluctantly left Kruger from the Orpen Gate and visited the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Institute and saw the most wonderful cheetahs. Please do look at the gallery [web link] on South Africa.
The drive back to Johannsesburg was through thrilling country with awesome scenery in Mpumalanga and the Jacaranda trees were in bloom as it was spring time. Stunningly beautiful in a grand way. We stopped to buy some avocadoes and melons from an African woman who was beautiful and engaging and when we bought several things and I asked for a wooden pot she shyly said, Ma'am you get two for the price and I said thank you but the one is just fine and I will pay the price and have it as a happy memory....she did a little jig and said 'this is my good good day....' and so it was for us too!
What is it about this place that makes it special
Kruger National Park is the size of Wales in the United Kingdom. It is a wonderful huge national park in which you are required to strictly adhere to the rules. There is so much to see and enjoy and it is a completely relaxing experience with short bursts of excitement when you are fortunate enough to see something wonderful.
SAN Parks - South African National Parks are excellently managed and I think very good value. If however you wish to indulge in luxury wildlife experiences then venture into the private wildlife parks and for some serious money you can have some hedonistic experiences and watch wildlife! Personally I still find it hard to reconcile wallowing in a hot tub up a tree and eating five course dinners with watching wildlife - the latter is what I consider a real privilege to experience both in Africa and of course my beloved India.
A good braai vleis as the sun sets at the end of a good viewing day, fire, friendship, grilled meat, mealies (corn) some chilled wine or beer, perhaps a water melon or mangoes depending on the time of year...recording all the wildlife and birdlife...that is what it is all about - respect for the land. The next morning, up very early a hot shower and a couple of bananas and a cup of tea and then off.....in the early light you might see a herd of elephants or a leopard returning to his lair, or the lions feeding....you just never know!!!
www.thepeacockscall.co.uk
[web link]
SAN Parks - South African National Parks are excellently managed and I think very good value. If however you wish to indulge in luxury wildlife experiences then venture into the private wildlife parks and for some serious money you can have some hedonistic experiences and watch wildlife! Personally I still find it hard to reconcile wallowing in a hot tub up a tree and eating five course dinners with watching wildlife - the latter is what I consider a real privilege to experience both in Africa and of course my beloved India.
A good braai vleis as the sun sets at the end of a good viewing day, fire, friendship, grilled meat, mealies (corn) some chilled wine or beer, perhaps a water melon or mangoes depending on the time of year...recording all the wildlife and birdlife...that is what it is all about - respect for the land. The next morning, up very early a hot shower and a couple of bananas and a cup of tea and then off.....in the early light you might see a herd of elephants or a leopard returning to his lair, or the lions feeding....you just never know!!!
www.thepeacockscall.co.uk
[web link]
